Matt Bomer 'grateful,' 'touched' by '50 Shades' fan petition

Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson are cast, but not everyone's happy. Kate Upton defends American women, and lots of folks get engaged.

Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson are cast, but not everyone's happy. Kate Upton defends American women, and lots of folks get engaged.

By Nardine Saad

Matt Bomer has not been cast in the on-screen adaptation of the erotic novel "50 Shades of Grey"; however, he's still showing his support for the project and its recently announced cast despite fan ire regarding the casting decisions.

Author E.L. James, who originally wrote the trilogy as a "Twilight" fan-fiction series, announced over Labor Day weekend that "Ben & Kate" actress Dakota Johnson, 23, and "Sons of Anarchy's" Charlie Hunnam, 33, would play the lead roles of college grad Anastasia Steele and her B&D-obsessed lover Christian Grey.

"Matt Bomer is the PERFECT DESCRIPTION OF CHRISTIAN GREY AND ALEXIS BLEDEL IS THE PERFECT ACTRESS TO REPRESENT ANASTASIA STEELE and if THEY ARE NOT, NOBODY WILL BE And I read the whole trilogy and I can assure that Matt is the perfect actor for this movie and Alexis too. So please PLEASE, all of the GREYsessed and Bomerettes in the world NEED those actors. They always will be for us the Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. WE CAN DO ANYTHING GUYS, ANYTHING."

Bomer -- whether he was in the runningor not -- was pretty psyched that the best-selling book's fandom has pushed to have him play the young, dark billionaire.

Producers Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca also took to Twitter to explain the casting decisions.

"There is a lot that goes into casting that isn't just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc.," wrote Brunetti, adding, "So if your favorite wasn't cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective."

And Hunnam and Johnson's "auditions were stunning, incredible chemistry!" wrote De Luca.

So, everybody just calm down, before Christian goes all megalomaniacal control freak.

Meet the talent and minds behind the film adaptation of E.L. James' erotic romantic novel. The film will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, the screenplay is by James and Kelly Marcel, and it will be produced by James, Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca. The film is due in theaters in August...

When casting news for the film adaptation of E.L. James' erotic romance novel "Fifty Shades of Grey" broke over the long weekend, reactions were muddled with expressions running from "Finally!" to "Seriously?!"

"Fifty Shades of Grey" novelist E.L. James announced Monday morning on Twitter that Dakota Johnson had won the coveted role as college graduate Anastasia Steele in the adaptation of her bestselling erotic novel.

"Fifty Shades of Grey" novelist E.L. James was very busy on Twitter on Monday morning. No sooner had she announced that Dakota Johnson ("Ben and Kate") had been cast in the feature film version of her erotic novel as Anastasia Steele she broke some other news too.

Model Kate Upton has taken the world by storm via social media, viral videos and landing the high-profile cover spot of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 2012, again in 2013 and a back cover in 2014. The 22-year-old is now dazzling in fashion magazines, on runways and on the red carpet. Lately,...